Stanchion or Post with Low Profile Circular Base

ABSTRACT

A post including a cylindrical weighted base with an end cap having a threaded hole in the center. A low profile circular base having a center threaded portion is attached to the post using the threaded hole in the post end cap. The design is ideal for use in spaces where handicapped access is required. The low profile circular base allows for safe traverse from wheelchairs. The low profile post may be easily disassembled without the use of tools by simply unscrewing the weighted post tube from the circular base.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR

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FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to stanchions or posts used in both indoor and outdoor environments. More specifically, the present invention is a stanchion including an internal weighted base with the bottom end having a center threaded hole for attachment to a circular base. The circular base would be approximately ¼ inch thick so that wheelchairs could easily ride over it if needed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A stanchion is a sturdy upright post that provides support for various applications such as controlling the flow of people or construction related applications such as road signs. Typically these posts are of hollow tube construction so that the tops of the posts can be fitted with cassette belts, lanyards, ropes, chains or signs depending on the specific intended use of the post. Most indoor posts are mounted on a weighted base that typically consists of a disc shape weighing approximately fifteen pounds. Most outdoor posts are mounted on a tripod stand and can include a threaded center rod to anchor the post into the ground.

There are several problems with a post that is mounted on either a weighted base or a tripod stand. First, the weighted base or tripod stand is often a large diameter size such as between two and four feet, and therefore posts having weighted bases or stands take up a lot of space when they are in storage. Second, posts having either weighted bases or tripod stands tend to degrade quickly in their appearance by getting dinged or scratched from close contact with other posts while in storage in a closet, shelf or truck bed. Finally, since the weighted base or tripod stands are typically attached to the post itself using small threaded fasteners such as screws or locking pins, it is common for these threaded fasteners to become easily lost or damaged over time by dirt, debris or rust from environmental exposure at road construction sites.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,863,165B1 issued to Hongthong solves the aforementioned problems by providing a stanchion having an internal weighted base with spring loaded retractable legs that can be used in both indoor and outdoor applications. Hongthong's post allows for efficient storage and allows the same number of posts to be stored in a closet or shelf instead of a larger storage room. The post is quick to setup without the need for tools. To deploy, a locking tab is rotated to allow the legs to drop out the bottom through slots at the base of the post.

Although the prior art post of Hongthong solves the aforementioned problems inherent with prior art posts, the post does not work well in situations where there is required to provide access for handicapped people using wheelchairs. In wheelchair accessible areas, the wheelchair cannot ride over the retractable legs without risking tipping over of the wheelchair. To address this deficiency, the present invention uses a low profile circular base that screws into a threaded hole located at the bottom end of the post. An internal cylindrical weight makes up for the low profile base to provide stability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a post that has an internally contained weighted base with the bottom end having a threaded hole at the center.

A second object of the present invention to provide a low profile circular base with a center threaded portion to screw into the threaded hole at the bottom end of the weighted post.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the low profile circular base stanchion.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the low profile circular base stanchion.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the low profile circular base stanchion taken along line A-A of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the low profile circular base stanchion 200. A hollow tube 202 contains a cylindrical weight 203 which rests on top of a bottom end 204. The bottom end has a center threaded hole for attachment to a low profile circular base 205.

Referring next to FIG. 2, the top view of the low profile circular base stanchion 200 is shown. The circular base 205 must be of sufficient diameter to provide stability for the stanchion. A recommended size of the circular base 205 would be 20 to 30 inches in diameter. The center post tube 202 is typically between 4 to 6 inches in diameter.

Referring finally to FIG. 3, a cross sectional view of the low profile circular base stanchion 200 is shown. The cylindrical internal weight 203 would typically be made of steel or aluminum and would have a typical length of 12 inches. The low profile circular base 205 should have a maximum thickness of approximately ¼ inch. The threaded hole size needs to be large enough to easily attach the post to the low profile circular base and a recommended size range would be ¼ to ¾ inch diameter with a coarse pitch thread of 12 to 18 threads per inch. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A stanchion or post comprising: a hollow tube; an end cap; said end cap having a center threaded hole; said end cap being rigidly attached to one distal end of said hollow tube; a cylindrical weighted slug; said weighted slug having a diameter slightly smaller than the internal diameter of said hollow tube; said weighted slug being slidably engaged inside said hollow tube; and a circular disc; said disc having a thickness of ¼ inch and a diameter between 15 and 20 inches; said disc having a center threaded portion for providing a means of attachment to said threaded hole of said end cap; said disc having a weight between 10 and 20 pounds. 